Bringing Back "The Hook"

Thursday morning I stopped into the Science PLC and walked into a discussion about "
"phenomena". The team was discussing how best to weave the new science standards into their current curriculum. The advice they got from GWAEA was to wrap their unit in a phenomenon from the real-world. For example, in a unit on genetics they might start with a news story about cloning.
At some point in time, we have all done this. In a single lesson Madeline Hunter called it an "anticipatory set".  In the social studies, the same concept was referred to as an "essential question". In another era of teacher and entertainment is was called "The Hook". No matter the name it's a sound principle.

1. Engage the audience with a mystery they can relate to
2. Tie in subplots to the central mystery to make the story more rich
3. In the end, relieve the suspense with a satisfying answer OR frustrate the audience with more questions than answers.

It's easy to jump right into a lesson for the day and stick to the facts, but we know from watching our favorite TV series and movies that a central narrative that is gripping, engages us, invests us in the story.  Take a moment as you plan for the next term and consider bringing back "The Hook" to engage and invest your students.  If you have a central story you use in class please leave a comment or share with your colleagues.

Blues Traveler - The Hook

Also Introducing "Table Talk"

Table Talk expands on the Restroom Reflection theme.

1. Take an idea. 
2. Reflect on it's value in your own classroom.  
3. Talk to your peers at lunch using the table tents as a prompt. 
4. Put thought into action.
5. Celebrate your success.

Introducing "Restroom Reflection"

When do you have time to ponder and reflect?
I was recently inspired by a story I heard about Google using "Tech on the Toilet" as a program to have people test code while they used the bathroom.  So it got me thinking perhaps we could try it also.  Tech on the Toilet? No, it wouldn't only be tech. Bathroom Brainwork? Nah. Lavatory Laboratory? Nope. Ponder while you... you get the picture. The point would be to have an idea presented in a brief, visual format. An idea that might flourish into action.
So here is your very first Restroom Reflection.

The idea:
Move from teacher-centered, teacher-controlled, teacher-dominated, to more student-driven activity.
Take a look and let me know what you think?

Reflection Time

This morning the English PLC spent their time split into groups based on upcoming classes. The topic of conversation was an exercise in a key piece of good teaching... reflection. The central question was, what worked this term? What did not?
The conversation led to a few tweaks and changes, but more importantly worked back to ideas of best practice in the classroom.

Bookmarking Tips

It's Fall. Which means squirrels are gathering and storing food, and teachers are gathering digital resources for a 21st-century classroom. The question is, where best to store you educational morsel? Bookmark and organize your resources for later use in Chrome.

The Fastest Way, Easiest Way

• Click the star in the Search bar of the browser
• Edit the name
• Add or change to a folder from the drop-down

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The Bookmark Bar

• Show/Hide the bar with a right-click and menu or CTRL+SHIFT+B
• Even a hidden bar will show when you add a new tab

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The Bookmark Manager

• Right-Click the bar and Click “Bookmark Manager” to reveal all of your stored bookmarks and folders

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Did You Know… ?

• You can bookmark all tabs in a window with CTRL+SHIFT+D or a right-click on the bar
• If you right-click on a folder you can “Open all Bookmarks” at once
• If you sign into Chrome you can sync all of your bookmarks across devices

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Other Options to Explore

• Pearltrees
• Diigo
• Google Collections
• Pinterest

Post #1- Welcome to My Solution

I spoke to you at the beginning of the year about what the role of the School Improvement Coordinator (SIC) is and how I would attempt to help and support the staff of Marion High School. My 3 generic goals were to offer opportunities to improve the efficiency, efficacy, and/or engagement within your classrooms. Recently a discussion broke out about the best we to get information to the staff and some constraints were placed on this mission.

1. "Don't make us learn a new technology just to get info about new technology"
2. "Don't abuse our email inbox with constant messages"
3. "Keep it short, simple, and visual"

In recognition of those constraints... I have a plan.

I'm going to blog. This blog is going to be present just above the M Block roster like an obnoxious advertisement. I'm going to post about what I see in classrooms.  If it pertains directly to your classroom experience I'll email it directly to you, if not you can choose to follow the blog or not (NO EMAIL abuse). 

Please comment on this public site. Add your ideas, shared frustrations, hopes and dreams, etc.  It is public so keep it clean and constructive. If you want a private conversation email me or find me.

PS. I'm taking suggestions for a better blog name so if you have something put it in the comments. If you would like to guest blog let me know.

PPS. Thanks to Sarah E. for inspiring this idea and to Becky H. for inspiring the word "inspire" in the URL of this blog (mhsinspire.blogspot.com).

More to come soon...